Differences in body shape representations among young adults from a biracial (Black-White), semirural community: the Bogalusa Heart Study.
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In this study, the authors examined body image perception and body mass index (weight (kg)/height (m)(2)) among race-gender groups in a biracial (Black-White) population of young adults in Bogalusa, Louisiana. A mail-out survey was completed in 1994 by 3,698 (65%) participants aged 18.5-35 years in the Bogalusa Heart Study (mean age = 27.6 years). As part of the survey, body image perception was determined in terms of body shape representations from a figure rating scale. A body image discrepancy score was calculated from the difference between z-standardized values of body image perception and body mass index. A stepwise proportional odds model including the covariates income, employment, education, and physical activity was used to identify factors influencing lower perception of body shape. Mean body mass index was highest among Black females (p < 0.001). The odds of having a lower perception of body shape (vs. body mass index) were 1.72 times higher in Blacks (p < 0.001), 0.80 times lower in persons who were currently employed (p < 0.001), and 0.86 times lower in persons with a higher education (p = 0.032). Gender, income, and physical activity were not found to be significant predictors of body image perception (p > 0.05). The authors conclude that significant differences exist within racial groups concerning body image perception in relation to overweight status among young adults. This has implications for prevention and education programs. (+info)
Brain but not lung functions impaired after a chlorine incident.
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A workplace bleach exposure incident was studied in 13 women to determine whether chlorine caused neurobehavioral and pulmonary functional effects. We compared neurophysiological and neuropsychological measurements in 13 chlorine-exposed women, 4.5 years after exposure, and 41 unexposed women. Reaction times, balance, blink reflex latency, color discrimination and several psychological tests were measured. Pulmonary function was assessed by spirometry. A profile of mood states and frequencies of 35 symptoms were obtained. Chlorine exposed women performed statistically significantly below unexposed women for simple and choice reaction times, balance with eyes open and eyes closed, color discrimination, grip strength, Culture Fair, digit symbol substitution, vocabulary, trail making B and pegboard. Profile of mood states scores and frequency symptoms were elevated. Respiratory symptoms were elevated but pulmonary volumes and flows were not reduced. Chlorine bleach exposure was associated with impaired neurobehavioral functions and elevated POMS scores and symptom frequencies. Alternatives to chlorine should be used. (+info)
Phenotypic differences between esophageal and gastric intestinal metaplasia.
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Intestinal metaplasia is a cancer precursor in the esophagus and the stomach. Marked differences exist between the carcinogenic processes in the two locations in terms of natural history and clinical significance. We investigated biopsies from 52 patients with Barrett's esophagus and from 50 patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia in an attempt to throw light on their pathogenic processes. Morphologic characteristics, presence of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), and markers of differentiation, inflammation, and proliferation were evaluated by histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. The area covered by incomplete type of intestinal metaplasia and the proportion of sulfomucins were significantly higher in the esophagus than in the stomach. Immunoreactivity with MUC1, MUC2, MUC5AC, Das-1, cytokeratins 7 and 20, inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 antibodies was also significantly greater in Barrett's esophagus than in gastric intestinal metaplasia. In gastric intestinal metaplasia, the presence of MUC1, MUC5AC, Das-1 and cytokeratin 7 was restricted to areas with the incomplete type of metaplasia. Cell proliferation (Ki-67) was significantly higher in Barrett's esophagus than in gastric intestinal metaplasia. H. pylori was absent in all of the patients with Barrett's esophagus, while it was present in 70% of the patients with gastric intestinal metaplasia. Our observations made clear that Barrett's esophagus shares some phenotypic characteristics with gastric intestinal metaplasia, leading us to suggest that both could arise in response to injuries with eventual carcinogenic potential. However, the progression to more advanced lesions could be modulated by the nature of the carcinogenic insult. (+info)
West Nile virus infection in nonhuman primate breeding colony, concurrent with human epidemic, southern Louisiana.
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During the summer of 2002, an epidemic of West Nile meningoencephalitis occurred in southern Louisiana. Following the outbreak, blood samples were collected from 1,692 captive rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta), pigtail macaques (M. nemestrina), and baboons (Papio spp.) that were permanently housed outdoors at a nonhuman primate breeding facility in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. The serum samples were examined for antibodies to West Nile virus (WNV). Overall, 36% of the captive nonhuman primates had WNV antibodies; comparison of these samples with banked serum samples from previous blood collections indicated that the animals were infected subclinically from February to August 2002. WNV activity was demonstrated in surveillance at the nonhuman primate-breeding colony and in the neighboring community during this same period. The high infection rate in this captive nonhuman primate population illustrates the intensity of WNV transmission that can occur silently in nature among other susceptible vertebrates during epidemic periods. (+info)
Energy expenditure in African American and white boys and girls in a 2-y follow-up of the Baton Rouge Children's Study.
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BACKGROUND: Previously reported race and sex differences in energy expenditure (EE) may play a role in body fat gain. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine the relations between race, sex, Tanner stage, and EE. DESIGN: We conducted a 2-y follow-up study of EE in 114 African American (AA) and white girls and boys aged 12.7 +/- 0.1 y ( +/- SE), who were stratified as obese or lean and were part of the Baton Rouge Children's Study. Total daily EE (TDEE) was measured by using doubly labeled water. Resting metabolic rate (RMR) and thermic effect of food were measured by using indirect calorimetry. RESULTS: White children had significantly higher TDEE and RMR than did AA children when fat-free mass was considered. Boys had significantly higher TDEE and RMR than did girls, even after adjustment for differences in size. TDEE and RMR were significantly higher in obese children, as a result of their greater fat-free mass and body fat, than in lean children. Activity-related EE did not differ significantly between obese and lean children. There was a strong relation between initial and 2-y TDEE and RMR. There was a significant decrease in activity-related EE in both racial groups. AA children had significantly more lean limb mass than did white children. CONCLUSIONS: Average TDEE did not change over 2 y, but RMR increased significantly, and activity-related EE decreased significantly. Differences in trunk and limb lean mass of white and AA children may explain some of the ethnic differences in EE. The decrease in physical activity over 2 y may contribute to the risk of obesity. (+info)
The public's misconception about traumatic brain injury: a follow up survey.
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Two prior surveys from rural Louisiana, Canada, and New York [Arch. Clin. Neuropsychol. 3 (1988) 331; Arch. Clin. Neuropsychol. 8 (1993) 461] revealed that a high portion of the population endorses misconceptions about the sequelae of traumatic brain injury (TBI). The purpose of this study was to assess the public's perceptions of head trauma in an urban setting in the Northeast region of the country and to compare those results with surveys from other geographical areas conducted 8 and 13 years ago. This study also examined the prevalence of perceptions about TBI that may be relevant to personal injury litigation with TBI plaintiffs. Data were collected at an office of the Department of Motor Vehicles from persons conducting business there. Participants (n = 179) voluntarily completed a 19-item survey covering several facets of brain injury. This sample endorsed misconceptions at a level consistent with previous studies, indicating a comparable lack of knowledge about moderate to severe TBI. With regard to mild TBI, however, our sample generally endorsed fewer misconceptions than previous samples. The public also holds perceptions of TBI that may be relevant to personal injury litigation involving TBI plaintiffs. (+info)
Mortality patterns among residents in Louisiana's industrial corridor, USA, 1970-99.
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BACKGROUND: Because of the high concentration of oil refining and petrochemical facilities, the industrial area of the lower Mississippi River of South Louisiana has been termed the Industrial Corridor and has frequently been referred to as the "Cancer Corridor". AIMS: To quantitatively assess the "Cancer Corridor" controversy based on mortality data available in the public domain, and to identify potential contributing factors to the observed differences in mortality. METHODS: Age adjusted mortality rates were calculated for white and non-white males and females in the Industrial Corridor, Louisiana, and the United States for the time periods 1970-79, 1980-89, and 1990-99. RESULTS: All-cause mortality and all cancer combined for white males in the Industrial Corridor were significantly lower than the corresponding Louisiana population while Louisiana had significantly higher rates than the US population for all three time periods. Cancer of the lung was consistently higher in the Industrial Corridor region relative to national rates but lower than or similar to Louisiana. Non-respiratory disease and cerebrovascular disease mortality for white males in the Industrial Corridor were consistently lower than either Louisiana or the USA. However, mortality due to diabetes and heart disease, particularly during the 1990s, was significantly higher in the Industrial Corridor and Louisiana when compared to the USA. Similar mortality patterns were observed for white females. The mortality for non-white males and females in the Industrial Corridor was generally similar to the corresponding populations in Louisiana. There were no consistent patterns for all cancer mortality combined. Stomach cancer was increased among non-whites in both the Industrial Corridor and Louisiana when compared to the corresponding US data. Mortality from diabetes and heart disease among non-whites was significantly higher in the Industrial Corridor and Louisiana than in the USA. CONCLUSIONS: Mortality rates in the Industrial Corridor area were generally similar to or lower than the State of Louisiana, which were increased compared to the United States. Contrary to prior public perceptions, mortality due to cancer in the Industrial Corridor does not exceed that for the State of Louisiana. (+info)
Distribution of human papillomavirus type 16 variants in human immunodeficiency virus type 1-positive and -negative women.
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The prevalence of human papillomavirus type 16 E6 variant lineages was characterized in a cross-sectional study of 24 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV)-positive and 33 HIV-negative women in New Orleans. The European prototype was the predominant variant in the HIV-negative women (39.4 %), while in the HIV-positive women the European 350G variant was predominant (29.1 %). In exact logistic regression models, HIV-positive women were significantly more likely to harbour any variant with a nucleotide G-350 mutation compared with HIV-negative women [58.3 % vs 21.1 %; adjusted odds ratio (AOR)=6.28, 95 % confidence interval (CI)=1.19-46.54]. Models also revealed a trend towards increased prevalence of Asian-American lineage in HIV-positive women compared with HIV-negative women (25.0 % vs 6.0 %; AOR=6.35, 95 % CI=0.77-84.97). No association was observed between any variant and cytology or CD4 cell counts or HIV-1 viral loads. These observations reflect a difference in the distribution of HPV-16 variants among HIV-positive and -negative women, indicating that HIV-positive status may lead to increased prevalence of a subset of variants. (+info)